Elite High School Basketball Institution Our Saviour Lutheran Joins Forces with the New York Lightning to Unveil Innovative Name, Image, and Likeness Platform Student-athletes will secure unprecedented access to new sponsorship opportunities and endorsements, as well as crucial personal brand development and business education.
Bronx, NY & Long Island, NY
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June 29, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
In a groundbreaking partnership, Our Saviour Lutheran young men’s basketball and New York Lightning Basketball have jointly introduced an inventive platform to leverage Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for the benefit of their unified teams. This pioneering initiative, named "Protect the Nest", merges the strengths of these renowned entities from the NY Metro and national high school basketball circuit.
Led by esteemed Head Coach Pete Wehye, the collaborative endeavor brings together the top-rated New York high school basketball program, the highest-rated Nike EYBL League team from New York, and the elite NY Metro grassroots AAU team, and aims to enhance the NIL potential for athletes and teams. The partnership also reinforces Our Saviour Lutheran and the New York Lightning’s commitment to fostering their athletes' development and recognition on an elite level, and signals a significant stride in promoting their players' personal brands while revolutionizing the sports landscape.
Working hand in hand with Obsesh, the industry leader in NIL branding, sports marketing, and technology services, the inclusive NIL platform seeks to create opportunities for the alliance and its players through national and local sponsorships, talent endorsements, and various other marketing initiatives nationally. Players will also benefit from unparalleled resources for personal brand development and instruction, in addition to financial planning and contract education—vital for the evolving new sports era. This revolutionary partnership aims to establish these leading high school and grassroots basketball entities as the undisputed powerhouses of high school basketball nationwide. By providing a comprehensive NIL platform, the alliance will maximize opportunities for both their athletes and programs, further strengthening their dominant status within the competitive landscape of high school basketball.
"Our goal extends beyond shaping outstanding basketball players to positively impacting lives," said Coach Wehye, a leading advocate of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for high school basketball athletes. "Through our high school basketball and grassroots programs, we've consistently led the way in every era of basketball, aiming to create a brighter future for our athletes and their families. We champion our players' rights to benefit from their own NIL, providing more paths to success athletically and personally, with the aim to create citizens that contribute to society, generate generational wealth, and break the cycle of poverty in our communities. This is incredibly important, and I’m going to lead the way so they have the best chance to maximize their next level in college and professionally.”
"We are extremely pleased to be leading the charge in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness, serving as the go-to NIL sportstech and marketing group for athletes, collegiate entities, and top-tier high school programs,” expressed Tracy Benson, CEO & Cofounder of Obsesh. “We are passionate about empowering athletes to maximize their personal brand and create a long-lasting impression on their future. It’s exciting to work with these incredible coaches, players, and programs to develop an industry-first platform for these two elite national powerhouse basketball brands, shaping their NIL platform and driving their success to greater heights. Together, we're on a mission to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with fans, families, sponsors, partners, and the world at large, amplifying their voice and maximizing their potential in the dynamic arena of NIL opportunities on both individual and team levels."
The New York Lightning grassroots teams compete in the distinguished Nike’s EYBL Circuit—the top high school showcase program nationwide. The organization includes more than 110 players, with its elite team being hailed as a top contender again at the upcoming Peach Jam Championship Tournament from July 3-9th in N. Augusta, South Carolina.
One of high school basketball's biggest events, The Peach Jam further spotlights the New York Lightning’s star players, including four-star point guard and Auburn University commit Tahaad Pettiford and four-star small forward Jahki Howard, who form one of EYBL’s most potent duos. Notable alumni talents from the New York Lightning include Elliot Cadaeu, committed freshman University of North Carolina point guard, Zakai Ziegler and Tobe Awaka, both current University of Tennessee athletes, Jaylen Blakes, now at Duke University, Akil Watson, now at Arizona State University, and Mark Armstrong, now at Villanova.
"We're thrilled to pioneer this next-level platform and cultivate relationships between our athletes and potential partners. It also furthers our dedication to fostering the comprehensive development of young athletes. With the proficient team at Obsesh serving as our provider and representatives, our coaching staff can concentrate on what we do best—developing young talent and winning!"said Shandue McNeill and Dana Dingle, Co-Directors of the New York Lightning. “We will continue to provide an empowering environment that prioritizes their growth, maximizing their potential on and off the court.”
Our Saviour Lutheran School, which serves more than 60 players annually led by Head Coach Pete Wehye, is the former Grind Session Champions, with star alumni such as Mr. Basketball–New York Jaquan Sanders (Seton Hall), Sadiku Ibine Ayo (St. John’s), Posh Alexander (Butler), Youssouf Singare (UConn), and NBA Swingman Jared Rhoden (Detroit Pistons). The school has been a dominant player in the elite NY Metro high school basketball scene, in addition to its National Falcons participating in the Overtime Elite Basketball League (OTE).
Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, this first-of-its kind alliance will ignite a fresh chapter in Name, Image, and Likeness, unlocking avenues for sponsorships, endorsements, education, and other partnerships for both our current players, alumni, and incoming recruits. As they persist in cultivating the future basketball elite, this initiative presents a unique opportunity for all players to gain visibility, lifelong skills, and profit from safe and compliant projects, enhancing their experience beyond the boundaries of the court.
For any national or local brands, or sports sponsors, interested in connecting with more than 170+ premier up and coming basketball talents, or for more information on NIL opportunities and how to make a significant impact, visit https://nyprotectthenest.com/ and get in touch by email at nyprotectthenest@obsesh.com.
About Our Saviour Lutheran
Led by champion Head Coach Pete Wehye, Our Saviour Lutheran School has five basketball teams in its program, including the OSL National Falcons, a leading force in both the semi-professional Overtime League (OTE) and the International elite basketball league, The Grind Session. In 2022, the OSL National Falcons took home the title of Grind Session World Champions. The school’s mission is to strive to inspire academic success, cultivate holistic growth, and instill faithful Christian character in all that they do. The athletic philosophy is best stated in this way: “Life is like sports. You train, endure, suffer, and triumph. In the end, you retire. God willing, you leave an amazing history and a better place for those after you.”
About New York Lightning
The New York Lightning (“NYL”), a subsidiary of the Long Island Lightning Basketball organization, is one of New York City’s most successful of its kind. Spanning more than 110 players in any season with teams ranging from 12U to 17U. While many know of its participation in the high-profile Nike EYBL Circuit as the New Heights Lightning, the premier high school showcase league in the country, very few are aware of the broad-reaching social and educational programs it deploys to the other student-athletes that are part of the organization. 17-U coaching staff includes Co-directors Dana Dingle and Shandue McNeill, Head Coach Pete Wehye, and Darryl Washington.
About Obsesh
Launched in 2021 by industry veterans Tracy Benson and Jonalyn Morris, Obsesh is a sports marketing and technology platform specializing in Name, Image, and Likeness brand growth for collegiate and elite high school athletic programs. Headquartered in California, Obsesh is backed by key sports tech funds including Stadia Ventures, Underdog & Co., and influencers, including Chad Hurley, YouTube Founder and co-owner of Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Football Club. Obsesh is dedicated to empowering athlete equity for all.
Contact Details
Obsesh
Jonalyn Morris
+1 323-376-3632
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